Comptroller hopeful supports donation ban

R.G. RATCLIFFE, Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle Austin Bureau

Published 5:30 am, Friday, September 16, 2005

AUSTIN - Republican comptroller candidate Susan Combs on Thursday said she supports a recommendation to ban the state's top tax collector from taking political donations from individuals with an interest in tax cases pending before the agency.

When Combs announced her candidacy in June, she promised not to take money from people with a tax case before the agency but qualified the promise by saying it would not apply to money she collects for her initial bid for the office.

State Auditor John Keel last week issued a report critical of Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn for giving $461 million in refunds to companies whose representatives had been involved in almost $2 million in contributions to her campaign account. Strayhorn denied wrongdoing and said the audit was politically motivated by Gov. Rick Perry, whose re-election she is challenging.

Keel recommended a ban on political money from companies with tax cases before the comptroller and the creation of a tax consultant registry so the public can know who is representing companies.

Meanwhile, a group of Republican state House members announced they will file legislation to make the auditor's recommendations law the next time the Legislature meets, scheduled for January 2007. They also wanted to make public all tax settlement amounts.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris Bell also has jumped on the auditor's report, but he used it to criticize Perry. Bell said the auditor's report showed the need for a "comprehensive ethics reform plan."